Alpha-haloalkyl (3-indolyl) acetic acid derivatives



United States Patent 3,242,192 ALPHA-HALOALKYL (Bl-INDOLYL) ACETIC ACID DERIVATIVES Tsung-Ying Shen, Westfield, and Lewis H. Sarett, Princeton, N.J., assignors to Merck & Co., Inc, Rahway,

NJ, a corporation of New Jersey No Drawing. Filed Sept. 7, 1962, Ser. No. 222,222 14 Claims. (Cl. 2603l9) This invention relates to new chemical compounds. More particularly, it relates to a new class of compounds of the indole family. Still more particularly, it is concerned with new tat-halogenated methyl 3-indolylacetic acids having an aromatic carboxylic acyl (i.e., an aroyl or heteroaroyl) radical of less than three fused rings attached to the nitrogen atom of the indole ring. It is concerned further with salts, esters and amide derivatives of such compounds. In addition, it is concerned with novel intermediates for preparing the foregoing a-halogenated methyl indolyl acetic acid compounds. It relates also to the synthesis of such substances.

The new aroyl and heteroaroyl indolylacetic acid compounds of this invention have the general structural formula:

(Formula I) R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen atoms, and lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, haloalkyl, nitro, amino, substituted amino, cyano, aminomethyl, alkyl-substituted aminomethyl, mercapto, dialkylsulfonamide and benzyl-mercapto radicals. A critical feature of the above compounds is the presence of an aroyl or heteroaroyl radical attached to the N-l position of the indole nucleus. These acyl groups may be further substituted in the aromatic rings thereof with hydrocarbon groups or with functional substituents. The term functional substituent, as used herein, is meant one other than hydrogen or hydrocarbon.

Among the preferred aroyl substituents that are operable herein are the benzoyl and naphthoyl groups. The aromatic rings (Ar) of such groups may contain, and in the preferred compounds do contain, at least one functional substituent. This substituent may 3,242,192 Patented Mar. 22, 19616 be a hydroxy or an etherified hydroxy (hydrocarbonoxy) group such as a lower alkoxy, aryloxy' or an aralkoxy radical, e.g., methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, propoxy, allyloxy, phenoxy, benzyloxy, halobenzyloxy, lower alkoxybenzyloxy and the like. Said functional substituent may also be a nitro group, a halogen, an amino group or a substituted amino group, representative examples of which that might be mentioned are acylamino, amineoxide, ketimines, urethanes, lower alkylamino, lower dialkylamino, amidine, acylated amidines, hydrazine or a substituted hydrazine, :alkoxyamines and sulfonated amines. Furthermore, said functional substituent may be a mercapto or a substituted mercapto radical of the type exemplified by alkylthio groups such as methylthio, ethylthio, and propylthio and arylthio or aralkylthio groups, e.g., benzylthio and phenylthio. The N-1 aroyl radical may, if desired, be haloalkylated, as with a trifluoromethyl, trifluoroethyl, perfiuoroethyl, B-chloroethyl or like substituent, acylated as with acetyl, propionyl, benzoyl, phenylacetyl, trifluoroacetyl and like acyl groups, or it may contain a haloalkoxy or haloalkylthio substituent. In addition, the invention embraces compounds wherein the aroyl radical contains a sulfamyl, benzylthiomethyl, cyano, sulfonamido or dialkylsulfonamido radical. Further, it may contain a carboxy substituent, or a derivative thereof, such as an alkali metal salt or a lower alkyl ester of the carboxy radical, an aldehyde, azide, amide, hydrazide and the like, or an aldehyde derivative of the type represented by acetals or thioacetals. In the preferred compounds, the N-l aroyl radical is benzoyl and the functional substituent is in the para position of the six-membered ring.

In accordance with this invention, the N-1 group may be a heteroacyl substituent, and more precisely a heteroaroyl radical of the formula where Het" represents a fiveor six-membered heteroaromatic ring, preferably of less than three fused rings. Examples of such radicals are the furyl, thienyl, pyrryl, thiazolyl', thiadiazolyl, pyrazinyl, 'pyridyl, alkylpyridyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrimidinyl and isoxazolyl rings. Said heteroaroyl radicals may be further substituted in the aromatic rings thereof with hydrocarbon groups or with functional substituents.

R situated in the 2-positionof the indole ring nucleus, may the hydrogen, although it is preferred that there be present at this position of the molecule. a hydrocarbon radical having less than nine carbon atoms. Lower alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl are the most satisfactory although aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl groups are also advantageous, such as phenyl, benzyl and tolyl. Furthermore, the alkoxy, halo, amino, substituted amino and nitro substituted derivatives of the foregoing are within the purview of this invention as are indoles having at the 2-position an unsaturated aliphatic radical such as allyl or vinyl or a cyclic aliphatic residue of the type cyclohexyl.

A further critical feature of the foregoing compounds is that they are 3-indolylacetic acids in which the acetic acid a-carbon atom is further substituted by a halogenated methyl group (R including the mono-, di and tri-halo substituted methyls, such as, for example, trifluoromethyl, difiuoromethyl, dibromomethyl, fiuorochloromethyl, chloromethyl, fluoromethyl, and the like.

In the preferred compounds of the invention, R is a lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, nitro, amino or substituted amino group. Examples of the alkyl and alkoxys that are embraced herein are methyl, ethyl, propyl, t-butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, iso-propoxy and the like radicals. Examples of the substituted amines are those derived from alkyl amines such as methyl amine, ethyl amine, isopropyl amine, butyl amine, diethyl amine, ethyl-sec-butyl amine, diisopropyl amine and the like, alkanolamines such as ethanolamine, diethanolamine, 2-amino-1-butano1, morpholine and the like, aryl amines such as aniline, diphenylamine and the like, mixed aromatic-aliphatic amines such as monomethylaniline, monoethylaniline and the like,

' aralkyl amines such as benzylamine, ,B-phenylethylamine and the like, halo-substituted aliphatic or aromatic amines such as fl-chloroethylamine, para-chloroaniline, para chlorobenzyl amine and the like, and other substituted aliphatic or aromatic amines such as fl-methoxyethyl amine, para-tolyl amine, para-methoxy aniline, and the like. R is not limited to the foregoing classes of substituents, however, and may, if desired, represent substituents such as hydrogen, aryl, aryloxy, hydroxy, mercapto, halo, haloalkyl such as CF CHF and the like, nitro, haloalkyl, cyano, sulfamyl, sulfoxide, aminomethyl, substituted aminomethyl, carboxy and carboalkoxy groups.

In addition to the a-(3-indolyl)acetic acids described herein, the esters, salts and amide derivatives thereof represent an additional aspect of the invention. The esters are important intermediates in the synthesis of the free acids, and in many cases are themselves of importance as end products. Among the preferred esters are the lower alkyl esters such as the methyl, ethyl,

' propyl or t-butyl esters, and the aralkyl esters such as the benzyl, p-halobenzyl, and like esters having less than nine carbon atoms. The salts of these new ot-(l-aroyl or heteroaroyl-3-indolyl)-acetic acids can be obtained by treatment of the free acid with base under mild conditions. Inthis manner there may be obtained salts of alkali metals such as lithium, sodium and potassium, the aluminum or magnesium salts, or salts of alkaline earth .metals such as barium and calcium. Salts of organic contemplated by this invention and which may be prepared by the procedures discussed hereinbelow: methyl or trifiuoromethyl or (1 p chlorobenzoyl 2 methyl- 5 methoxy 3 indolyl) acetate, or difluoromethyla (l p chlorobenzoyl) 2,5 dimethyl 3 indolyl)- acetic acid, methyl a-trifiuoromethyl-u-(l-p-methyl-thiobenzoyl 2 methyl 5 methoxy 3 indolyl) acetate, or trifiuoromethyl a (1 p chlorobenzoyl 2 methyl-5-methoxy-3-indolyl)-acetamide, ethyl ot-difluorochloromethyl 1x [1 (2,4 dichlorobenzoyl) 2 methyl- 5-methoxy-3-indolyl]-acetate, benzyl u-fluoromethyl-a- [1-(4-thiazolyl carbonyl)-2-ethyl-5-methyl 3 indolyl] acetate, propyl a-trifluoromethyl-a-(l-nicotinoyl-Z-methyl 5 methoxy 3 indolyl) acetate, trifiuoromethyl cc (l naphthoyl 2 methyl 5 methoxy 3- indolyl)-acetic acid, a-trifluoromethyl-a-[1-(4-thiazolyl carbonyl) 2 methyl 5 methoxy 3 indolyl] acetamide. methyl a-bromomethyl-u-(l-naphthoyl-2-methyl- 5 methoxy 3 indolyl) acetate, or trifiuoromethylor (1 p methylthiobenzoyl 2 -methyl 5 methoxy- 3-indolyl)-acetic acid and the like.

The a-halomethyl-aroyl- (or 1-heteroaroyl)-3-indolyl acetic acid compounds of this invention and their corresponding esters and amides have a high degree of anti-infiammatory activity and are effective in the prevention and inhibition of granuloma tissue formation. Certain of them possess this activity in high degree and are of value in the treatment of arthritic and dermatological disorders and in like conditions which are responsive to treatment with anti-inflammatory agents. In addition, the compounds of this invention have a useful degree of antipyretic activity. For these purposes, they are normally Salts administered orally in tablets or capsules, the optimum dosage depending, of course, on the particular compound being used and the type and severity of infection being treated. Although the optimum quantities of these compounds of this invention to be used in such manner will depend on the compound employed and the particular type of disease condition treated, oral dose levels of preferred compounds in the range of 1.0-2000 mg. per day are useful in control of arthritic conditions, depending on the activity of the specific compound and the reaction sensitivity of the patient.

The novel a-halogenated methyl 3-indo1yl-acetic acids of this invention are prepared from 3-a-haloacetyl indoles that have been acylated in the N-l position of the indole nucleus with an aromatic carboXylic acyl radical (aroyl or heteroaroyl) of less than three fused rings. These useful synthetic intermediates are also novel compounds and an additional feature of this invention and may be chemically represented as follows:

(llXYZ wherein X, Y and Z are selected from the class consisting of hydrogen, and halogen atoms, at least one of which is a halogen, preferably chlorine, bromine or fluorine, and R R and R are as previously defined. They are preferably prepared by reacting an indole that is unsubstituted in the N 1 and C-3 positions, but having the desired R and R embellishments, with a member selected from the group consisting of halogenated acetic acid anhydride and halogenated acetyl halide to form the corresponding 3-haloacetyl indole which is then treated with an acylating agent capable of introducing the desired aromatic carboxylic acyl moiety in the Nl 'position of the indole nucleus. Alternatively, the foregoing tWo steps may be reversed, that is, the starting indole may first be acylated in the Nl position with the appropriate aroyl or heteroaroyl moiety followed by the introduction of the a-haloacetyl moiety in the C-3 position.

In either instances, the reaction of the indole with the respective halogenated acetic acid anhydride or halogenated acetyl halide is carried out by heating the reagents together at temperatures above 50 C. and preferably in the range of from 100250 C. Preferably, the re action is run at the reflux temperature of the particular halogenated acetic acid anhydride or halogenated acetyl halide employed. In the case of the lower boiling acetic anhydrides or acetyl halides, a closed reaction vessel will be advantageous.

The acylation reaction is preferably conducted by intimately contacting the N1 unsubstituted indole with an aroyl or heteroaroyl acid halide in the presence of a strongly basic condensing agent, such as sodium hydride, potassium hydride, sodamide, an alkyl lithium or an alkali metal alkoxide, in a suitable solvent medium. The metallo derivative of the indole reactant forms first and this, in turn, reacts with the aroyl or heteroaroyl halide to form the corresponding N-l acylated indole.

An alternative method of acylating the 1position is by use of an activated aryl ester of the acylating acid, such as the p-nitrophenyl ester. This latter is prepared by mixing the acid and p-nitrophenol in tetrahydrofuran that is acylated in the N-1 position of the indole nucleus alkyl ester under mild conditions. 30 N 5 6 hydride in an anhydrous solvent and adding the acylating acylated in the N-l position by treatment with an acylatagent. ing agent such as an aroyl or heteroaroyl halide:

, In the acylation step, the reaction medium is not un- CXYZ duly critical and it is preferred to employ anhydrous or- R l aroyl, hetew gamc solvents such as, for example, the alkylformamldes, 5 aroyl halide such as dimethylformamide, diethylformamide and the L m like, aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and 2 xylene, mixtures of said dialkylformarnides and said H aromatic hydrocarbons, ethers such as diethyl ether, 1,2- (EXYZ dimethoxyethane, tetrahydrofuran and diphenyl ether 10 5- --C=0 and nitrobenzene. The temperature of the reaction is y not critical although it is preferred to carry out the acyla- J tion at temperatures ranging from 0-30 C. Lower temperatures may be employed if the particular reactants 1 are unduly susceptible to decomposition.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the process of synthesizing the subject a-halomethyl 3-indolylacetic acids comprises condensing a 3-a-haloaicetyl indole wherein R is an aroyl or heteroaroyl group as previously described. Alternatively, the foregoing two steps may be reversed, that is, the starting indole could first be acylated in the N-l position with the aroyl or heteroaroyl moiety, followed by the introduction of the a-haloacetyl moiety in the 3-position. In either event, the resulting product is then condensed with an a-halo ester such as chloroacetic acid ester in the presence of a basic condensing agent such as sodium ethoxide, sodium amide or sodium hydride to form the corresponding a,{3-epoxy ester (glycidic ester):

with an aromatic carboxylic acyl radical (aroyl or heteroaroyl) of less than three fused rings with an a-halo ester to form a glycidic ester, converting said glycidic ester to its corresponding acid, decarboxylating said acid to an aldehyde, treating said aldehyde with hydroxylamine to form the corresponding oxime, dehydrating said oxime to form the corresponding nitrile, treating said CXYZ nitrile with alkanol and hydrogen halide to form an RF I irnino-alkyl ester hydrohalide which, upon hydrolysis, H CIOHzCOOR,

forms the corresponding alkyl ester, and hydrolyzing said NaH Accordingly, the tat-halogenated methyl-3-indolyl-acetic acids of this invention may be prepared by reacting a halogenated acetic acid anhydride with indole itself or an indole that has been presubstituted in the 2- and/or v 5-positions with the desired embellishments, thereby in- O troducing an zx-haloacetyl group in the 3-position of the indole nucleus: I

0 wherein R is an alkyl or aralkyl radical. The glycidic CXYZ ester condensation reaction is carried out under anhydrous (OXYZ C 0M0 RF conditions, with or without a solvent medium, and preferably in an inert atmosphere. The reaction is preferably run at 0 C. or below, temperatures as low as 80 C.

g V;} being advantageous. After reaction periods ranging from a few hours to a few days, the reaction mixture is treated with dilute acid and the organic product extracted in the usual way by suitable organic solvents or separated by wherein R and R are substituents as previously devacuum distillation. The resulting glycidic ester is then scribed and X, Y and Z are selected from the group conconverted to the corresponding acid by mild alkaline hysisting of hydrogen and halogen atoms, at least one being drolysis, followed by decarboxylation to yield an aldehyde a halogen. The resulting 3-a-haloacetyl indole is then degraded by one carbon atom:

i lk A discussion on the formation of glycidic esters and their Alternat Vely when R above is a ternary a Y1 radical conversion to aldehydes will be found in Organic Reactions, the glycidic ester iS preferably converted to the degraded example, by direct pyrolysis at 100-200 C., under nitrogen and in the presence of powdered copper:

OXYZ

The foregoing aldehydes may be converted to an oxime by the usual treatment with hydroxylarnine, such as, for example, by treatment with hydroxylamine acetate in aqueous ethanol to which a base is added with warming:

The resulting oxime is dehydrated to a nitrile as, for example, by treatment with a mild dehydrating agent such as acetic anhydride, or, preferably, by treatment with an alkyl or aryl chloroformate in the presence of base to form the corresponding alkyl or aryl carbonate ester, said carbonate ester then being pyrolyzed to yield the corre- The resulting nitrile may be partially hydrolyzed, under mild alkaline or acidic conditions, to form the corresponding amides of this invention which, upon further hydrolysis, yields the corresponding acids themselves. Preferably, the resulting nitrile is converted to an alkyl ester by means of an intermediate imino-alkyl ester hydrohalide synthesis followed by hydrolysis. For example, the nitriles are treated in an alkanol (ROH) solution with a hydrogen halide, such as hydrogen chloride and hydrogen bromide, in the strict absence of water to form the corresponding irnino-alkyl ester hydrohalide. The addition of water to the reaction mixture leads to hydrolysis of the imino-ester with formation of the alkyl ester and ammonium chloride:

corresponding (IJXYZ R,- err-GEN IVOH R5 l 1101 N 2 0C.

Said esters, which are embraced within the purview of this invention, are then hydrolyzed under mildly alkaline or mildly acidic conditions to yield the corresponding a-halomethyl-3-indolylacetic acids of this invention:

product may also undergo some hydrolysis, said acids are usually obtained in admixture with the corresponding N-l unsubstituted (deacylated) a-halomethyl-B-indolylacetic acid and the aroyl or heteroaroyl moiety in its acid form. The novel acids of this invention are separated and recovered from such mixtures by conventional techniques such as fractional crystallization or by means of chromatography using a silica gel column and mixtures of ether-petroleum ether as the eluent.

The tat-halogenated methyl 3-indolylacetic acid amides of this invention, acylated in the N-l position with an aromatic carboxylic acyl radical of less than three fused rings, may be prepared from the corresponding u-halo genated methyl 3-indolylacetic acids according to conventional techniques for the preparation of amides and N- substituted amides. For example, the respective acid may be converted to a symmetrical anhydride in the presence of a mild dehydrating agent such as dicyclohexyl carbodiimide and then treated with ammonia to yield 0 the corresponding amide, or with a primary or secondary amine having the desired substituents in an inert solvent to yield the corresponding substituted amides. Alternatively, the respective acid may be converted to a mixed anhydride by treatment with a non-hydroxylic base such as, for example, a tertiary alkyl amine, pyridine and the like, to yield an acid salt, followed by treatment with an acid halide such as, for example, an alkyl or aryl chloroformate, phosphorous .oxychloride, thionyl chloride and the like, to yield the mixed anhydride which may then be treated with ammonia, primary amines or secondary amines to yield the corresponding amides. In addition, the a-halo1nethyl-3-indolylacetic acid amides of this invention may be prepared by the mild acid hydrolysis of the corresponding u-halomethyl-3-indolyl acetonitriles.

Among the primary and secondary amines that are operable herein are the alkyl amines such as methyl amine, ethyl amine, isopropyl amine, butyl amine, diethylamine, ethyl-sec-butylamine, diisopropyl amine and the like, alkanolamines such as ethanolamine, diethanolamine, 2-amino-1-butanol, morpholine and the like, aryl amines such as aniline, diphenylamine and the like, mixed aromatic-aliphatic amines such as monomethylaniline, monoethylaniline and the like, aralkyl amines such as benzylamine, fl-phenylethylamine and the like, halosubstituted aliphatic or aromatic amines such as B-chloroethyl amine, para-chloroaniline, para-chlorobenzyl amine and the like, and other substituted aliphatic or aromatic amines such as B-methoxyethyl amine, paratolyl amine, para-methoxy aniline, and the like.

The a-halogenated methyl 3-indolylacetic acids may also be used to prepare the corresponding esters of this invention. For example, the respective acid may first be converted to symmetrical or mixed anhydrides as previously described and then reacted with a desired alkyl or aralkyl alcohol in the presence of a non-hydnoxylic base such as, for example, a tertiary alkyl amine, pyridine and the like, to yield the corresponding alkyl or aralkyl ester.

The synthesis of various compounds of this invention having on the indole ring system a S-substituent which has a nitrogen attached to the homocyclic ring of the indole is generally based on the S-nitro compound which may subsequently be transformed into the desired 5- substituent. Such transformation can be carried out in a number of ways. Reduction of the S-nitro groups gives a S-amino group. Reaction of the amino with alkyl halides gives mono and dialkyl amino groups. If the alkyl halide is a dihaloalkylene group (e.g., 1,4-dibromobutane) a heterocyclic ring (e.g., pyrrolidino) is formed. Similarly, bis(fl-chlorethyl)ether will give an N-morpholine compound. Alkylation can also be carried out simultaneous with reduction, as, e.g., with formaldehyde and Raney nickel and hydrogen. Acylation can similarly be carried out on the S-amino compounds or .on the .S-nitro (with simultaneous reduction) to give 5- acylamido compounds. The S-amino group can be reacted with isocyanates to give S-ureido compounds.

This invention can be illustrated by the following examples:

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of Z-methyl-3-triflu0r0acetyl-5- methoxyindole A mixture of g. of 2-methyl-5-methoxyindole and 195 g. of trifluoroacetic anhydride is heated at 100 C. for 6 hours in a glass-lined bomb with occasional shaking. The reaction mixture is then cooled and filtered, yielding 15 grams of crude product. Recrystallization from ether yields 2methyl-3-trifluoroacetyl-5-methoxyindole (M.P.: 185-185.5 C.).

Analysis for C H NO F -Calculated: C=56.03%; H=3.91%; N=5.44%. Found: C=56.15%; H=4. 18%; N=5.23%.

EXAMPLE 2 The procedure of Example 1 is followed, using as reactants, in lieu of the trifluoroacetic anhydride and 2-methyl-5-methoxyindole used therein, the equivalent quantities of the appropriate halo-substituted acetic anhydrides and indoles appropriately substituted in the C-2 and C-5 positions of the indole nucleus so as to yield the following respective products:

3-trifluoroacetylindole,

3 -trichlorocacetyl-Z,5-dimethyl-indole,

3 -difluorocacetyl-2,5-dimethylindole, 2-methyl-3-difluorochloroacetyl-S-methoxyindole, chloroacetyl-S-methoxyindole, 2-ethyl-3-fiuoroacetyl-S-methylindole, 2-phenyl-3-dichloro-acetyl-5-methoxyindole, 2-p-tolyl-3-trichloroacetyl-S-methoxyindole, 2-methyl-3-dichloroacetyl-S-nitroindole, 2-ethyl-3-trifluoroacetyl-S-methylindole, 2-methy1-3-chloroacetyl-S-cyanoindole,

2-buty1-3 -trifluoroacetyl-S-benzyloxyindole, 2-allyl-3-trifluoroacetyl-S-methoxyindole, 2-methyl-3-difluoroacetyl-S-methylthioindole, 2-methyl-3 -trifiuoroacetyl-S-dimethylaminoindole, 2-methyl-3-dibromoacetyl-S-allyloxyindole, 2-methyl-3 -trifluoroacetyl-S-benzylmercaptoindole,

10 2-vinyl-3-trifiuoroacetyl-S-methoxyindole, Z-p-methoxyphenyl-3-dichloroacetyl-S-methoxyindole, and 2-p-chloro-phenyl-3-bromochloroacetyl-S-methoxyindole.

The 2- and/or S-substituted indoles used as starting materials above may be prepared by a Fischer indole synthesis using the corresponding para-substituted phenylhydrazine (the para-substituent becoming the 5-substituent of the indole) and a reagent having the formula CH COR (in which R becomes the Z-Substituent of the indole), or by following the procedures set forth in US. Patent No. 2,825,734.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of l-p-chlorobenzayl-2--methyl3- trifluoroacelyl-S-methoxyindole To a solution of 3.23 g. (0.013 mole) of Z-methyl-3- trifluonoace-tyl-SqnethoXyindole in 40 cc. of freshly distilled dimethylformamide (DMF) at 0 C. are added 1.3 g. (0.026 mole) of a sodium hydride-mineral oil suspension (51% NaH) under nitrogen. 3.5 grams (0.020 mole) of p-chlorobenzoyl chloride in 10 cc. of DMF are then added and the mixture stirred for 3 hours at 0 C. Excess ether is then added and the reaction mixture stirred at 0 C. for 50 minutes. The mixture is then filtered, the precipitate Washed with ether, and the ether solution washed twice with Water, dried over sodium sulfiat-e, and concentrated in vacuo. Chromatography on 200 g. of silica gel with 5% (V/V) ether in petroleum ether as the eluent yields 1.2 g. of a yellow oil which solidified on cooling in Dry Ice. Recrystallization from 5% (V V) ether in petroleum ether (cooled in Dry Ice) yields 0.57 g. of l-p-chlorobenzoyl-2-methyl-3-trifluoroacetyl-S-methoxyindole (M.P.: l04.5-105.S C.).

Analysis for C H NO F Cl-Calculated: C=57.65%; H=3.31%; N=3.54%. Found: C=58.33%;H=3.53%; N=3.47%.

EXAMPLE 4 The procedure of Example 3 is followed, but using as reactants, in lieu of the 2-methyl-3-trifiuoroacetyl-5-methoxyindole and p-chlorobenzoyl chloride used therein, the equivalent quantities of the 3-haloacetyl indoles appropriately substituted in the C-2 and C-S positions of the indole nucleus and the appropriate aroyl and heteroaroyl chlorides so as to yield the following respective products:

1-p-chlorobenzoyl-3 -trifluoroacetylindole,

1-p-chlorobenz0yl-3 -trichloroacetyl-2,S-dimethylindole,

1-p-chlorobenzoyl-3-difluoroacetyl-2,5 -dimethylind0le,

1- (2,4-dichlorobenzoyl) -2-methyl-3 -difiuorochloroacetyl-S -methoxyindo1e,

1- (4-thiazolyl-carbonyl) -2-ethyl-3-fluoroacetyl-5-methylindole,

1-p-methoxybenzoyl-2-phenyl-3 -dichloroacetyl-5-methoxyindole,

1- 2-thenoyl) -2-p-tolyl-3 -trichloroacetyl-S-methoxyindole,

1-p-trifluoromethylbenzoyl-2-methyl-3-dichloroacetyl-5- nitroindole,

1-p-methylthiobenzoyl-Z-ethyl-3-trifiuoroacetyl-S-methylindole,

1-benzoyl-2-methyl-3 -chloroacetyl-S-cyanoindole,

1-furoyl-2-butyl-3-trifluoroacetyl-5-benzyloxyindole,

1(2',4'-dichlorobenzoyl)-2-a1lyl-3-trifiuoroacetyl-5- methoxyindole,

1-p-methoXybenzoyl-2-methyl-3-difiuoroacetyl-5-methylthioindole,

1-p-trifiuorornethylbenzoyl-2-methyl-3 -trifinoroacetyl-5- dimethylaminoindole,

1-p-methylthiobenzoyl-Z-methyl-3 -dibromoacetyl-5-allyloxyindole,

1-nicotinoyl-2-methyl-3 -trifiuoroacetyl-S-benzylmercaptoindole,

l-fl-naphthoyl-2-vinyl-3-trifluoroacetyl-S-methoxyindole, t

1-(3'-then-oyl)-2-p-methoxyphenyl-3-dichloroacctyl 5- methoxyindole, 1-p-dimethylsulfamylbenzoyl-2-p-chlorophenyl-3-bromochloroacetyl-S-methoxyindole, and 1-p-methylthiobenzoyl-Z-methy1-3-trifluoroacetyl-5- rnethoxyindole.

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of tertiary bntyl {3 (1 -p-chlrobenzoyl-2- methyl methoxy 3 indolyl) B triflaoromethyl glycidate To a solution of 0.03 mole of 1-p-chlorobenzoyl-2- methyl-3-trifiuoroacetyl-5-methoxyindo1e and 0.045 mole of t-butyl chloroacetate in 250 ml. of dimethoxyethane are added, in portions, 5.2 g. of potassium t-butoxide at 0 C. with stirring and under nitrogen. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 18 hours and poured into 1 liter of iced water containing 3 ml. of acetic acid. The product is extracted with ether, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel using mixtures of ether-petroleum ether in the range of 50-100% ether (V/V) as the eluent to give the corresponding tertiary-butyl [3 (l-p-chlorobenzoyl 2 methyl 5- .methoxy-3-in-dolyl)-fi-tritluoromethyl glycid'ate.

EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of u-(1-p-chlorobenzoyl-2-methyl-5-methoxy- 3-indolyl -ot-triflnor0methyl ace taldoxime A mixture of 3.5 g. of tertiary-butylfl-(l-p-chlorobenzoyl-2-methy1-5-methoxy-3-indolyl)-e trifiuoromethyl glycidate and about 500 mg. of copper powder is heated in an oil bath at 150200 C. at 0.1 mm. Hg with stirring. As soon as the pyrolysis slows down, the reaction mixture is cooled in ice and the resulting a-(1-p-chlorobenzoyl-2- methyl-5-methoxy-3-indolyl)-fi trifiuoromethyl acetalde- EXAMPLE 7 Preparation of a(1-p-chlorobenzoyl-2-methyl-5-meth0xy- 3-indolyl)a-trifluor0methyl acetaldoxime ethyl carbonate To a solution of 150 mg. of a-(l-p-chlorobenzoyl-Z- methyl-5-methoxy-3-indoyl)-a trifluoromethyl acetaldoxime in 3 ml. of pyridine is added about 0.2 g. of ethylchloroformate at 0 C. with stirring. The mixture is then stirred at room temperature for 2 hours, poured into water and extracted with ether. The ethereal solution is washed with water, dilute HCl and aqueous sodium bicarbonate and then dried over sodium sulfate. Evaporation of the solvent gives 140 mg. of the corresponding acetaldoxime ethyl carbonate.

EXAMPLE 8 Preparation of a-(1-p-chlor0benzoyZ-Z-methyl-S-methoxy- 3-indolyl)-a-trifluoromethyl acetonitrile 295 milligrams of a-(1-p-chlorobenzoyl-2-methyl-5- methoxy-3-indoly l)-u-trifiuorornethyl acetaldoxime ethyl carbonate are heated at 1 mm. Hg in an oil bath at 150 160 C. for 10 minutes. After cooling, the hard yellow film is dissolved in 20% (V./ V.) ether in petroleum ether and the solution passed through an alumina (6 g.) column and eluted with 600 ml. of the same solvent to yield the corresponding OC-( 1-p-chlorobenzoyl-Z-methyl-S-methoxy- 3-indolyl)-a-trifiuoromethyl ace-tonitr-ile.

12 EXAMPLE 9 Preparation of methyl a-trifluoromethyl-a-(l-p-chlorohenzoyl-2-methyl-5-methoxy-3-ind0lyl)-acetate (A) A solution of 0.01 mole of a-(l-p-chlorobenzoyl- 2-methyl-5-methoxy-3-indolyl)-a-tritluoromethyl acetonitrile and 0.01 mole of methanol in 50 ml. dry ether is treated with anhydrous hydrogen chloride at 05 C. until the resulting imino methyl ester hydrochloride precipitates. The precipitate is collected, washed with ether and then treated with water to undergo hydrolysis and yield the corresponding methyl a-trifluoromethyl-a-(l-pchlorobenzoyl-2-methyl-5-methoxy-3indolyl) -acetate.

(B) In accordance with the above procedures, but substituting ethanol, isopropanol and tertiary butanol, respectively, for the methanol used therein, there are obtained the corresponding ethyl, isopropyl and tertiary butyl esters, respectively.

EXAMPLE 10 Preparation of u-trifluoronzethyl-a- (J-p-chlorobenzoyl-Z- methyl-5meth0xy-3-indolyl acetic acid A solution of 3 g. of methyl a-trifluoromethyl-a-(l-pchlorobenzoyl-2-methyl-5-methoxy-3-indolyl) acetate in ml. of dioxane and 20 ml. of 2.5 N hydrochloric acid is maintained at 50 C. for several hours under a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture is concentrated in vacuo to about 30 ml., diluted with 200 ml. of water, and extracted with ether. The ethereal solution is washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated to a residue. The residue is chromatographed on 200 g. of silica gel using mixtures of ether in petroleum ether (V./V.) 30%100%) as eluent to yield a-trifluoromethyl-0M1-p-chlor-obenzoyl-2-methy1-5-methoxy 3 indolyl) acetic acid.

EXAMPLE 1 l (A) The procedures of Examples 5-10 are followed using an equivalent quantity of the 1-p-chlorobenzoyl-3- trifluoroacetylindole of Example 4 as the starting material in place of the 1-p-chlorobenzoyl-2-methyl-3-trifluoroacetyl-S-methoxyindole of Example 5, and equivalent quantities of the respective indolyl intermediates thereafter, to yield the corresponding a-trifiuoromethyl-oc-(lp-chlor0benzoyl-3-indolyl) acetic acid.

(B) In accordance with the above procedures, an equivalent quantity of each of the other N-l acylated 3-04- haloacetyl indoles of Example 4 is subjected to the procedures outlined in Examples 5-10 to yield, respectively, the corresponding (it-halogenated methyl N-l acylated 3-indolyacetic acids.

EXAMPLE 12 Preparation of u-trifluoromethyl-a-(l-p-clzlorobenzoyl-Z- methyl-S-methoxy-3-ind0lyl) acetic acid anhydride To a solution of 0.05 mole of a-trifluoromethyl-a-(1-pchlorobenzoyl-Z-methyl-5-methoxy-3-indolyl) acetic acid in 300 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran is added 0.025 mole of dicyclohexyl carbodiimide with ice-cooling and stirring. The mixture is allowed to remain at 05 C. for 1 hour and then at room temperature (about 25 C.) for an additional 4-6 hours. The solution is filtered to remove the dicyclohexylurea formed, and concentrated in vacuo to a residue. The resulting anhydride is recrystallized from a mixture of benzene and petroleum ether.

EXAMPLE 13 (A) The procedure of Example 12 is followed using an equivalent quantity of a-trifiuoromethyl-a-(l-p-chlorobenzoyl-3-indolyl)acetic acid in place of the a-trifiuoromethyl-0A1-p-chlorobenzoyl-Z-methyl-S methoxy 3-indolyl)acetic acid used therein to obtain the corresponding 13 u-trifluoroniethyl-a-( l-p-chlorobenzoyl 3 indolyl)acetic acid anhydride.

(B) In accordance with the above procedure, an equivalent quantity of each of the other cit-halogenated methyl N1 acylated 3-indolylacetic acids of Example 11 is used in place of the a-trifluorornethy1-a-(1-p-chlorobenzoyl-Z-methyl-S-rnethoxy-3-indolyl)acetic acid of Example 12 to yield, respectively, the corresponding anhydride.

EXAMPLE 14 Preparation of N,N-dimethyl-a-trifluoromethyLu-(I-pchlorobenzoyl-Z-methyl-5-methoxy-3-indo1yl)acetamide (A) A solution of 0.01 mole of a-trifiuoromethyl-a-(lp chlorobenzoyl 2-methyl-5-methoxy 3 indolyl)acetic acid anhydride in 50 I111. tetrahydrofuran is treated with 0.02 mole of anhydrous dimethylarnine at C. with stirring. After one-half hour, the solution is filtered to remove the dimethylamine salt and concentrated in vacao to yield N,N dimethyl-a-trifluoromethyl-a-(1 p chlorobenzoyl-Z-methyl-S-methoxy-3-indolyl)acetamide which is recrystallized from a mixture of benzene and petroleum ether.

(B) In accordance with the above procedure, but substituting an equivalent quantity of isopropylamine, diethanolamine, aniline, monornethylaniline, benzylamine, para-chloroaniline, ,B-methoxyethyl amine, morpholine and para-methoxy aniline, respectively, in place of the dimethylamine used therein, there are obtained, respectively, the corresponding N-substituted acetamides.

(C) The procedure of paragraph 14 (A) is followed using dry ammonia gas instead of dimethylamine. The ammonia is bubbled through the tetrahydrofuran solution of the indolyl acid anhydride. The product is a-trifluoromethyl-a-(1-p-chlorobenzoyl-Z-methyl methoxy-3-indolyl)acetamide.

(D) The procedure of paragraph 14 (C) is followed using equivalent quantities of the other indolyl acid anhydrides prepared in Example 13 to yield the corresponding indolyl acetamides.

EXAMPLE 15 Preparation of isopropyl-a-trifluoramethyl-a-(I-p-chlorobenzoyl-2-methyl-5-methoxy-3-ind0lyl)acetate (A) A solution of 0.01 mole of a-trifluorornethyl-a-(lp-chlorobenzoyl-2-methyl-5-methoxy-3-indolyl)acetic acid anhydride, 0.01 mole of triethylamine and 0.01 mole of isopropanol in 50 ml. of dimethoxyethane is allowed to stand at 0 C. for 1 hour and then at room temperature for 4-6 hours. The solution is concentrated in vacuo to about ml. and diluted with 50 ml. of ether. The ether solution is filtered from the triethylamine salt and then evaporated to give the isopropyl ester.

(B) In accordance with the above procedure, but substituting an equivalent quantity of methanol, ethanol, tertiary-butanol, benzyl alcohol and B-phenylethyl alcohol, respectively, in place of the isopropanol used therein, there are obtained, respectively, the corresponding esters.

EXAMPLE 16 14 EXAMPLE 17 Preparation 0 the morpholine salt of a-trifla0r0melhyla- (1 -p-chlorabenzoyl-Z-methyl-5 methoxy 3 indolyl) acetic acid (A) To a solution of 0.01 mole of u-trifluoromethyL a-(1-p-chlorobenzoyl-Z-methyl-S methoxy 3 indolyl) acetic acid in 100 ml. of ether at 0 C. is added a solution of 0.01 mole of morpholine in 50 ml. of ether, dropwise,

with stirring. The mixture is filtered and the resulting crystalline morpholine salt of a-trifluoromethyl-a-(1-pchlorobenzoyl-Z-methyl-5-methoxy-3 indolyl)acetic acid is washed with ether and dried in vacuo.

(B) The procedure of paragraph 17 (A) above is followed using, in place of the indolyl acid used above, an equivalent quantity of each of the indolyl acids prepared in Example 11, to produce the morpholine salt of each of said acids.

(C) The procedure of paragraph 17 (A) above is followed using, in place of morpholine, an equivalent amount of each of the following amines, to yield the corresponding amine salts of a-trifiuorornethyl-a-(l-pchlorobenzoyl-Z-methyl-5-methoxy-3-indoly1)acetic acid: trimethylamine, triethylamine, n-butylamine, aniline, choline, 2,3-xylidine and piperazine.

EXAMPLE 18 Preparation of sodium ot-trifluoromethyl-a-(Z-p-chlorobenzoyl-Z-mathyl-5-methoxy-3-ind0yly)acetate (A) To a solution of 0.01 mole of wtrifluoromethylusing an equivalent quantity of each of the indolyl acids prepared in Example 11, to obtain the corresponding sodium salt of each of said acids.

(C) The procedure of paragraph 18 (A) is followed using 0.01 mole of each of the following alkoxides or hydroxides in place of sodium methoxide, to produce the corresponding metal salts: potassium methoxide,

aluminum isopropoxide, magnesium hydroxide, and calcium hydroxide.

Various changes and modifications may be made in carrying out the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Insofar as these changes and modifications are within the purview of the annexed claims, they are to be considered as part of our invention.

We claim:

1. A compound of the formula:

l Ii

15 carboxamide, phenyl, lower alkylsulfinyl and lower a1- kylsulfonyl;

R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, phenyl, tolyl and benzyl;

R is selected from the group consisting of monohalomethyl, dihalomethyl and trihalomethyl in which said halogen has an atomic number less than 53;

R is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, lower :alkoxy, benzyloxy, amino, lower alkylamino, di(lower alkyl)amino, lower alkanolamino, phenylamino, tolylamino, benzylamino, phenylethylamino, lower alkoXy-lower alkylamino and OM, where M is selected from the group consisting of ammonium, lower alkylammonium, morpholinium, cholinium, glucosammonium, methyl cyclohexylarnmonium, triethylammonium, N-butylammonium, anilinium, 2,3-xylidinium, piperizinium, alkali metal cations, alkali earth cations, magnesium and aluminum;

R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,

lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, CF CHF nitro, cyano, aminomethyl, amino, hydroxy, benzylmercapto, lower alkylthio, diphenylamino, benzylamino, B-phenylethylamino, chloro lower alkylamino, chloro phenylamino, chloro benzylamino, lower alkoxy-lower alkylarnino, anisidino, lower alkylanilino and lower alkoxyanilino.

2. A compound of claim 1 wherein R is halobenzoyl, R is lower alkyl, R is trihalomethyl, R is hydroxy and R is lower alkoxy.

3. A compound of claim 1 wherein R is lower alkylthiobenzoyl, R is lower alkyl, R is trihalomethyl, R is hydroxy and R is lower alkoxy.

4. A compound of claim 1 wherein R is halobenzoyl, R is lower alkyl, R is trihalomethyl, R is lower alkoxy and R is lower alkoxy.

5. A compound of claim 1 wherein R is halobenzoyl, R is lower alkyl, R trihalomethyl, R is amino and R is lower alkoxy.

6. A compound of claim 1 wherein R is halobenzoyl, R is lower alkyl, R is trihalomethyl, R is diloweralkylamino, and R is lower alkoxy.

7. a-trifluoromethyl oc- (1-p-chlorobenzoyl-Z-methyl- 5-methoxy-3-indolyl)acetic acid.

8. Methyl oz trifluoromethyl-u-(l-p-chlorobenzoyl- 2-methyl-S-methoxy-3-indolyl) acetate.

9. Isopropyl on trifluoromethyl-a-(1-p-chlorobenzoyl- 2-methyl-5-methoXy-3 -indolyl) acetate.

10. ec-trifluoromethyl c (1-p-chlorobenzoyl-2-methyl--methoxy-3-indolyl)acetamide.

11. N,N dimethyl 0: trifluoromethyl-u-(l-p-chlorohenzoyl-2-methyl-5-methoxy-3-indolyl) acetarnide.

16 12. A compound of the formula:

OIXYZ R5 o=o in which R is selected from the group consisting of benzoyl, naphthoyl biphenylcarbonyl and substituted benzoyl, naphthoyl and biphenylcarbonyl in which the substituent is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, phenoxy, nitro, halogen, lower alkanoylamino, di(1ower alkyl)amino, mercapto, lower alkylthio, halo lower alkylthio, benzylthio, benzyloxy, phenylthio, halo lower alkyl, lower alkanoyl, halo lower alkanoyl, halo lower a-lkoxy, halo lower alkylthio, benzylthio, cyano, di(lower alkyl)sulfonamido, carb-lower alkoxy, formy-l, di(lower alkyl) carboxamide, phenyl, lower alkylsulfinyl and lower alkylsulfonyl;

R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, phenyl, tolyl and benzyl;

R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, CF CHF nitro, cyano, aminomethyl, amino, hydroxy, benzylmercapto, lower alkylthio, diphenylamino, benzylamino, fl-phenylethylamino, chloro lower alkylamino, chloro phenylarnino, chloro benzylamino, lower alkoxy-lower alkylamino, anisidino, lower alkylanilino and lower alkoxyanilino, and

XYZ are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen, no more than two being hydrogen at any one time.

13. A compound of claim 12 wherein R is halobenzoyl, R is lower alkyl, X, Y and Z are each halo and R is lower alkoxy.

14. l-p-chlorobenzoyl 2 methyl-3-trifiuoroacetyl-5- methoxyindole.

References Cited by the Examiner Adams et al.: Ed., Organic Reactions, vol. V. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, pages 414 and 421.

Blaunt et al.: Jour. Chem. Soc. (London), pp. 3158- 3160 (1931).

Cram et al.: Organic Chemistry, McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, 1959, pages 349 and 372-373.

Migrdichian: Organic Synthesis, vol. I, Reinhold Publishing Corp., New York, 1957, pages 151, 425, 429, 336- 337, 323, and 369.

NICHOLAS S. RIZZO, Primary Examiner. 

1. A COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA:
 7. A- TRIFLUOROMETHYL-A-(1-P-CHLOROBENZOYL-2-METHYL5-METHOXY-3-INDOLYL)ACETIC ACID. 